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VeganMofo 2014 #18 - Jeffburgers - the funcrunch files

Sep. 26th, 2014 08:34 pm VeganMofo 2014 #18 - Jeffburgers

As I mentioned in a previous entry, I've never been a fan of traditional veggie burgers. That's why I like the bean patties pictured above, made by nutritionist Jeff Novick. They're a healthy and satisfying blend of kidney beans, rolled oats, brown rice, salsa (or ketchup or BBQ sauce), and spices.

This dish is one of a selection of simple recipes that Jeff has published on his Facebook page. He probably has posted them on the McDougall forums somewhere too, so non-Facebook users can find them. They are all designed to be very inexpensive and quick to make, as well as nutritious and low in salt and sugar (none contain oil).

The ingredient lists and instructions for some of these recipes may frustrate some with their imprecision. These burgers, for example, don't specify what seasoning to use or how long to cook them. As I'm becoming a better cook, I find that I like the flexibility of choosing to make the recipe a little different each time. This time I used a Cajun seasoning blend from the Everyday Happy Herbivore cookbook, a blend of brown and wild rices, and homemade ketchup from Straight Up Food (as I said in my last burgers and fries post, I was looking for an excuse to use it again!).

After chilling overnight as instructed, I baked them in the toaster oven at 350F for 10 minutes on each side, and later reheated them in the microwave for about a minute. As with the previous burgers, I simply ate these with a fork, as patties, with a vegetable side (broccoli in this case). boyziggy really likes these burgers, so I'll probably be making them more often.

This kind of food isn't fancy or terribly exciting. But per The Pleasure Trap, we shouldn't expect every meal to be an amazing taste sensation. Healthy, hearty, inexpensive grains and beans are the foundation for feeding a hungry world.